Combined animal information tag and system

ABSTRACT

A combined animal information tag and system comprising a relatively permanent primary information tag attached directly to the animal to provide primary information about the animal and a removable or replaceable supplemental identification or informational tag attached to the primary information tag to provide additional information about the animal.

STATEMENT OF RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/159,756 having a filing date of 29 May 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates generally to a device forsupplementing the information on an animal identification tag and moreparticularly to a combination device for providing information about ananimal comprising a relatively permanent animal information tag, such asan ear tag or ankle tag, and a supplemental information member that isattached reversibly or removably to the relatively permanent animalinformation tag.

[0004] 2. Prior Art

[0005] The use of tags for the purposes of tracking animals (typicallylivestock such as cows, sheep, and pigs) is a prevalent practice in theUnited States and abroad. The tagging practice helps livestock holdersidentify both the ownership of the livestock and whether the livestockhas been treated with antibiotics and growth hormones. As such, tagsplay a vital role in the meat producing industry.

[0006] Not surprisingly, the prior art discloses an array of such tags,the most common of which appear to be ear tags. U.S. Pat. No. 3,826,030to Read discloses an ear tag that can have two tabs each having multipleindicia. U.S. Pat. No. 3,388,492 to Nichols discloses an ear tag havinga flat surface for a first indicia and a second indicia that can besnapped into a hole in the flat surface. U.S. Pat. No. 4,581,834 toZatkos discloses a locking ear tag with a relatively simple structure.U.S. Pat. No. 5,473,830 to Doble discloses an ear tag comprisingnumbers, pins, notches, slots and other devices to show information.U.S. Pat. No. 6,055,752 to Ritchey discloses an ear tag with a hollowinterior for storing articles. Thus, the idea of an ear tag with one ormore indicia is known in the art.

[0007] Tags are generally placed onto the respective animal early in theanimal's life. In many cases, as the tags connote ownership, the tagsare placed on the animals as soon as the animal is under the control ofthe owner. And as some information is not available at the time the tagis placed on the animal, the information on the tag may not reflect theactual status of the animal. Additionally, as hormones or antibioticsare given subsequently and over time, this information may not bereflected on the tag. As a result, the tags may not always provide themost current and acurate information regarding the animal.

[0008] Further complicating the matter is that many prior art tags aregenerally (and purposely) difficult to remove. In fact, in manysituations, the ear tags are removed with the use of pliers and thelike. Thus, time and patience are required to remove an animal tag,which is not always convenient, especially if the tag needs to beupdated or modified with more current information. Further, informationabout specific animals often is maintained on a computer database.However, a common worker typically is not able to revert to a computerto determine information about the animal on a timely basis. Thus,having as much information as possible in a readily discernable formaton or attached to the animal would speed up the process of ascertainingthe information about the specific animal.

[0009] Accordingly, there is a need for a device that can be used tomodify the tags, or the information on tags, that are already in placeon an animal. There is also a need for the ability to provide as muchinformation about an animal as possible, but in a readily discernablemanner. There is also a need for a supplemental device to be able to beplaced easily on the permanent tag. There is also a need for such adevice that can be removed, modified or changed easily to reflect themodified or changed information or status. There is also a need for acombination device comprising a relatively permanent animal informationtag, such as those known in the art, and a removable or replaceablesupplemental information member that can be attached to the relativelypermanent animal information tag, so as to create a readily modifiableanimal information system. It is to these and other needs that thepresent invention is directed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Briefly, the present invention is a combination of a supplementaltag that fits on or around many common prior art relatively permanentanimal information tags already in place (that is, attached to) theanimal. Preferably, the supplemental tag is visible from a distance andis not hidden behind body of the animal. For the purposes of thisspecification, the term “permanent tag” is used to described a primaryanimal information tag component that is relatively permanently attachedto the animal, such as the known ear tags and ankle tags. Such permanenttags are meant to remain on the animal throughout its life, or for atleast a defined time period, without significant change, but may beremovable, generally with difficulty and/or with the destruction of atleast a portion of the permanent tag. For the purposes of thisspecification, the term “supplemental tag” is used to describe asupplemental animal information tag component that is removable andreplaceable on the permanent tag.

[0011] In one example, for animal ear tags, the supplemental tag can beplaced on the permanent tag between the main permanent tag body and theanimal, generally proximal to the animal's ear. One advantage of placingthe supplemental tag between the permanent tag body and the animal isthat such a placement does not obstruct the view of informationcontained on the permanent tag body. Another advantage of this placementis that the neck of the permanent tag, which is the portion of thepermanent tag between the main permanent tag body and the attachmentpoint of the permanent tag to the animal, often is narrower that themain permanent tag body. As a result, the supplemental tag is moresecure on the neck and can be a smaller structure than if thesupplemental tag were placed on the main permanent tag body.

[0012] In another example, for animal ankle tags, which are akin to abracelet about the animal's ankle, the supplemental tag can be placedover or about the permanent tag. One advantage of placing thesupplemental tag over or about the permanent tag is that is can be movedor grasped easily by a worker to review the information on thesupplemental tag or on the permanent tag. Another advantage of thisplacement is that the supplemental tag is out of the way and will notinterfere with the animal's movement. As a result, the supplemental tagcan provide the supplemental information without inconveniencing eitherthe animal or the worker.

[0013] Other examples of how the supplemental tag can be applied to andcombined with a known or future type of permanent tag, and the variousdifferent types of known or future permanent tags to which thesupplemental tag can be attached and combined with, are within the scopeof this invention and will become apparent to those of ordinary skill Ithe art upon reading this specification.

[0014] More specifically, the supplemental tag comprises anidentification member that can be a single element with a generallyC-shaped or looped configuration, which partially resembles a “0” shapewith an entrance slot. The structure comprises two arms that generallydefine an attachment cavity for attaching for attaching the supplementaltag to the permanent tag. The ends of the two arms can be locatedproximally to each other and can form an entrance slot. Alternatively,the two ends of the arms can be joinable in that the arms are joinedtogether after the supplemental tag is placed around the tag neck.Alternatively, the arms can be of different lengths. The entrance slotcan be located at many different positions on the supplemental tag.

[0015] The permanent tag neck, for ear tags and the like, or thepermanent tag body, for ankle tags and the like, enters the attachmentcavity through the entrance slot. As the supplemental tag is pushed orsnapped onto the permanent tag neck or permanent tab body, in oneembodiment one or more of the arms can be deflected, which temporaryenlarges the entrance slot to allow the permanent tag neck or permanenttag body to pass therethrough. For example, the arms could deflectoutwards, forwards, and/or backwards relative to their initial positionby utilizing the elasticity of the material of construction to allow thepermanent tag neck or permanent tag body in the attachment cavity. In analternate embodiment, the inner edge of one or both arms can be providedwith a tab at the end of the arm to lock the arm against the permanenttag neck or permanent tag body. In another alternate embodiment, theends of the arms can be provided with closure means that cooperate witheach other to enclose or encircle the permanent tag neck or permanenttag body.

[0016] Once the permanent tag neck or permanent tag body issubstantially within the attachment cavity, the arms can begin to returnto their original positions or be clipped or locked. As the attachmentcavity preferably has a size at least the size of the permanent tag neckor permanent tag body, the return of the arms to their initial positionssecures the supplemental tag around the permanent tag neck or permanenttag body. As a result, the supplemental tag is securely but removablyattached on the permanent tag.

[0017] In operation and use, the supplemental tag is adapted formounting about the permanent tag neck or permanent tag body of an animaltag for tagging an animal with information. As described herein, theattachment cavity of the supplemental tag is sized so that the permanenttag neck or permanent tag body can be fitted therethrough. As thepermanent tag can be already on the animal, the supplemental tag can beused to place additional information on the permanent tag. Further, auser can add multiple supplemental tags to continually add informationto the permanent tag. Additionally, a user can remove a supplemental tagthat is indicative of various outdated or incorrect information. Thus,the supplemental tag provides a user with a device that can used toflexibly add or remove information about the animal.

[0018] One advantage of the supplemental tag is that it can be used tohelp maintain the accuracy of the information on an animal tag. As thesupplemental tag can fit very easily around a permanent tag, a user cansimply place the supplemental tag onto a permanent tag to update theinformation. More specifically, for example, if an animal is givenantibiotics after the permanent tag is placed on an animal, the user cansimply place the correct supplemental tag on the permanent tag toindicate that an antibiotic was indeed given. Alternatively, asupplemental tag can be used to correct a defect in the information on apermanent tag already attached to an animal.

[0019] An array of means can be used to allow the supplemental tag toidentify specific information regarding the animal. For example, thesupplemental tag can be a specific color or shape, wherein the specificcolor or shape signifies or indicates specific information about atagged animal. Alternatively, the supplemental tag can have languageaffixed thereon conveying the information desired to be attached.Alternatively, the supplemental tag can have a bar code or computer“smart” chip. It is understood that the supplemental tag can conveyinformation in other ways than described herein.

[0020] These features, and other features and advantages of the presentinvention, will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in therelevant art when the following detailed description of the preferredembodiments is read in conjunction with the appended drawings in whichlike reference numerals represent like components throughout the severalviews.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021]FIG. 1 is a front side view of a prior art exemplary permanent eartag.

[0022]FIG. 2 is a front side view of a representative embodiment of asupplemental tag as mounted on the tag neck of the permanent tag shownin FIG. 1.

[0023]FIG. 3 is a rear side view of a representative embodiment of asupplemental tag as mounted the permanent tag neck of the permanent tagshown in FIG. 1.

[0024]FIG. 4 is a top view of a first embodiment of a supplemental tag.

[0025]FIG. 5 is a top view of a second embodiment of a supplemental tag.

[0026]FIG. 6 is a top view of a third embodiment of a supplemental tag.

[0027]FIG. 7 is a top view of a fourth embodiment of a supplemental tag.

[0028]FIG. 8 is a top view of a fifth embodiment of a supplemental tag.

[0029]FIG. 9 is a top view of a sixth embodiment of a supplemental tag.

[0030]FIG. 10 is a top view of a seventh embodiment of a supplementaltag.

[0031]FIG. 11 is a top view of an eighth embodiment of a supplementaltag.

[0032]FIG. 12A is a top view of a ninth embodiment of a supplemental tagshown in a closed position.

[0033]FIG. 12B is a plan view of the ninth embodiment of a supplementaltag shown in FIG. 12A shown in a open position.

[0034]FIG. 13 is a front side view of a prior art exemplary permanentankle tag.

[0035]FIG. 14 is a front side view of a representative embodiment of asupplemental tag as mounted on the tag body of the permanent tag shownin FIG. 13.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0036] The general structure of a first common prior art permanent tag,namely animal ear tag 20, is shown in FIG. 1 and a second common priorart permanent tag, namely animal ankle tag 100, is shown in FIG. 13. Asshown in FIG. 1, permanent tag 20 as mounted on an exemplary ear 30 ofanimal 40, comprises permanent tag body 22, permanent tag neck 26(located between dashed lines 27), and permanent tag attachment means28. As shown in FIG. 13, permanent tag 100 as mounted on an exemplaryankle of an animal leg between shin 102 and hoof 104, comprises agenerally planar piece of material wrapped about the animal leg andsecured with conventional securing means 106. As shown, permanent tagbody 22 contains biographical and historical information (such as theorigin, age and owner) connected with animal 40. Often, permanent tag20, 100 is colored and has a large identification number imprintedthereon. Permanent tag body 22 of ear tag 20 often is generallysubstantially larger in size (width and/or length) than permanent tagneck 26 of ear tag 20. Ear tag 20 is generally placed on animal 40 viapermanent tag attachment means 28. Embodiments of the present inventioncan be used to supplement the information reflected on permanent tag 20,100, as well as other common permanent tags having the same or a similargeneral size and shape.

[0037] For ease of reading, the following detailed description of thepreferred embodiments will be phrased in connection with an ear tag 20embodiment. However, it must be appreciated that the description is aptfor an ankle tag 100 embodiment or other permanent tag embodiments, andthe description is not meant to be limited to ear tag 20 embodiments.

[0038] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, supplemental tag 10 fits aroundpermanent tag neck 26 of an ordinary prior art ear tag 20. Moreparticularly, supplemental tag 10 can be placed on permanent tag neck 26between permanent tag body 22 and ear 30. One advantage of placingsupplemental tag 10 between permanent tag body 22 and ear 30 is thatsuch a placement does not obstruct the view of information contained onpermanent tag body 22. Also, supplemental tag 10 is sized so that itcannot slip over permanent tag body 22 or onto ear 30. Preferably,supplemental tag 10 is visible from a distance and is not hidden behindear 30 of animal 40.

[0039]FIG. 2 specifically shows a front view of supplemental tag 10 onpermanent tag 20 and FIG. 3 specifically shows a rear view ofsupplemental tag 10 on permanent tag 20. In the view shown in FIG. 2, itcan be seen that supplemental tag 10 preferably presents a uniformsurface to the outside relative to animal 40. This is for at least tworeasons. First, a uniform surface is less likely to get caught onbranches or fences as the animals goes about its daily activities.Second, a uniform surface can contain more information than a brokensurface. In the view shown in FIG. 3, it can be seen that entrance slot50 or the equivalent is located on the inside relative to animal 40.This also is for at least the two reasons mentioned previously.

[0040] Referring now to FIG. 4, a first embodiment of supplemental tag10 is shown. This first embodiment comprises an identification memberthat can be a single element with a generally C-shaped or loopedconfiguration, which partially resembles a “0” shape with an egressslot. The structure comprises two arms 14, 16 that generally define anattachment cavity 52 for attaching supplemental tag 10 to permanent tag20. Preferably, supplemental tag 10 has a rounded structure, or at leastrounded edges, that can help prevent supplemental tag 10 from catchingon the stanchion or on other objects with which animal 40 comes intocontact. Alternatively, supplemental tag 10 can have a circular, oval,square, triangular or other geometric or non-geometric cross-sectionbased on the user's desires. Different cross-sections also can indicate,for example, different information.

[0041] Arms 14, 16 can be located proximally to each other. In onepreferred embodiment, the ends 18, 19 of arms 14, 16 approximately abuteach other and form entrance slot 50 through which permanent tag neck 26passes into attachment cavity 52. Alternatively, arms 14, 16 can bejoinable in that arms 14, 16 are joined after supplemental tag 10 isplaced around permanent tag neck 26. The distance between the ends 18,19 of arms 14, 16 define entrance slot 50 and therefore can affect theease of which supplemental tag 10 can be removed from (or placed on)permanent tag neck 26. Once permanent tag neck 26 is substantiallywithin attachment cavity 52, arms 14, 16 can begin to return to theiroriginal positions. As attachment cavity 52 preferably is at least thesize of permanent tag neck 26, the return of arms 14, 16 to theirinitial positions secures supplemental tag 10 around permanent tag neck26.

[0042] Referring now to FIG. 5, a second embodiment of supplemental tag10 is shown. In this second embodiment, at one or both of ends 18, 19 ofarms 14, 16 of supplemental tag 10, there can be tooth structure 60 thatcan function to help further secure supplemental tag 10 onto permanenttag neck 26. As shown in FIG. 5, tooth structure 60 on end 19 of arm 16of supplemental tag 10 can aid in securing supplemental tag 10 topermanent tag 20. More specifically, because tooth structure 60 extendsinwardly from arm 16, the placement of supplemental tag 10 ontopermanent tag 20 can cause tag neck 26 to fit within the area ofattachment cavity 52 below tooth structure 60 and to abut toothstructure 60. This will help prevent permanent tag 20 from sliding outof attachment cavity 52. Alternatively, if permanent tag neck 26occupies the entire length of attachment cavity 52, an elastic force maybe applied to permanent tag 20, that is, tooth structure 14 can placepressure on permanent tag 20. The pressure from tooth structure 60 canfurther secure supplemental tag 10 on permanent tag 20.

[0043] Preferably, permanent tag neck 26 enters attachment cavity 52through entrance slot 50. As supplemental tag 10 is pushed or snappedonto permanent tag neck 26, one or both of arms 14, 16 are deflected,which temporary enlarges entrance slot 50 to allow permanent tag neck 26pass therethrough. For example, arms 14,16 could deflect outwards,forwards, and/or backwards (relative to their initial position) byutilizing the elasticity of the material of construction to allowpermanent tag neck 32 in attachment cavity 52. Once permanent tag neck26 is substantially within attachment cavity 52, arms 14, 16 can beginto return to their original positions. As attachment cavity 52preferably is at least the size of permanent tag neck 26, the return ofarms 14,16 to their initial positions secures supplemental tag 10 aroundpermanent tag neck 26.

[0044] It is understood that persons with ordinary skill in the art candetermine the appropriate dimensions of entrance slot 50 and attachmentcavity 52 based on the permanent tag 20 onto which supplemental tag 10is to be placed, and thus the appropriate overall dimensions ofsupplemental tag 10, based on factors including the dimension ofpermanent tag neck 26 of the permanent tag 20 that supplemental tag 10is engaging. As the selected dimensions can affect the degree of freedomof supplemental tag 10 around permanent tag neck 26, one of ordinaryskill in the art can select dimensions to best fit with the model ofpermanent tag 20. For example, persons with ordinary skill in the artcan determine the preferred dimensions based a particular model of apermanent tag 20 on which the present invention will be used, or for aone-size-fits-all version.

[0045] Additional illustrative embodiments of a supplemental tag 10 areshown in FIGS. 6 through 11. As shown in FIGS. 6-11, entrance slot 50can be made so that it resides in an array of positions. FIG. 6 showsentrance slot 50 in the center of the elongated section 70 ofsupplemental tag 10. Alternatively, FIG. 7 shows entrance slot 50 at theoffset or upper edge where the elongated section 70 meets the short,preferably curved section 80 of supplemental tag 10. Alternatively, FIG.8 shows entrance slot 50 in the center of the curved section 80 ofsupplemental tag 10. One of ordinary skill in the art can manufacturesupplemental tag 10 so that entrance slot 50 is in a position optimalfor each application of permanent tag 20.

[0046]FIGS. 8 and 9 show alternative embodiments of a supplemental tag10 having entrance slot 50 on the curved section 80. In FIG. 8, ends 18,19 of arms 14, 16 form flattened abutting surfaces. When supplementaltag 10 is placed over permanent tag neck 26, the flattened surfaces areseparated allowing ingress to attachment cavity 52. Separating flattenedsurfaces creates entrance slot 50. After permanent tag neck 26 has beeninserted into attachment cavity 52, flattened surfaces again abut eachother, helping to maintain permanent tag neck 26 within attachmentcavity. In FIG. 9, end 18 of arm 14 comprises an elongated sectionserving as the bulk of the curved section 80. When permanent tag neck 26is within attachment cavity 52, permanent tag neck 26 will abut theinterior surface of end 18, thus being secured within attachment cavity52.

[0047]FIG. 10 shows a supplemental tag 10 having a rotating gate 82attached to end 18 of arm 14 via pin 84. Gate 82 can rotate from an openposition to a closed position and back so as to allow easy access toattachment cavity 52. Gate 82 can be secured in the closed position viafriction or other locking means.

[0048]FIG. 11 shows a supplemental tag 10 having a elongated rotatinggate 82 corresponding to one of the elongated sections 70, also attachedto end 18 of arm 14 via pin 84. Gate 82 can rotate from an open positionto a closed position and back so as to allow easy access to attachmentcavity 52. Gate 82 can be secured in the closed position via friction orother locking means. In this embodiment, arms 14,16 are of differentlengths.

[0049]FIGS. 12A and 12B show a supplemental tag 10 of a folding design.As can be seen in FIG. 12B, supplemental tag 10 is a generally planarand rectangular piece 88 of flexible and durable material having closingprong 90 and shaft 96 proximal to a first end and closing hole 92proximal to a second end distal from the first end. Supplemental tag 10is placed about permanent tag 20, 100 and folded about centerline 94.Prong 90 is inserted through hole 92 to secure arm 14 to arm 16. Shaft96 provides a spacing element to help create attachment cavity 52. Thebase of prong 90 preferably has a greater diameter or width than hole 92so as to prevent prong 90 from exiting hole 92 and thus maintainingsupplemental tag 10 in a closed configuration as shown in FIG. 12A. Inthis embodiment, the material of supplemental tag 10 should be flexibleenough to be folded about centerline 94 and elastic enough for prong 90and hole 92 to deform to allow prong 90 to pass through hole 92, andthen to return to nearly the initial shape to hold prong 90 and notallow prong 90 to repass easily through hole 92.

[0050]FIG. 13 illustrates a common animal ankle tag 100 about the ankleof an animal. As shown in FIG. 14, supplemental tag 10 can be placedabout or over ankle tag 100 in much the same manner and with much thesame results as disclosed previously for ear tag 20. Any or all of thealternative embodiments disclosed previously also can be used inconnection with ankle tag 100.

[0051] In operation and use, supplemental tag 10 is adapted for mountingabout permanent tag 20, 100 for tagging animal 40 with information. Asdescribed herein, attachment cavity 52 of supplemental tag 10 is sizedso that permanent tag neck 26 or permanent tag 100 can be fittedtherein. As permanent tag 20, 100 can be already on animal 40,supplemental tag 10 can be used to place additional information onpermanent tag 20, 100. Further, a user can add multiple supplementaltags 10 to continually add information to permanent tag 20, 100.Additionally, a user can remove supplemental tag 10 which can beindicative of various incorrect or outdated information. Thus,supplemental tag 10 provides a user a device that can flexibly add orremove information from animal 40.

[0052] One advantage of supplemental tag 10 is that it can be used tohelp maintain the accuracy of information on permanent tag 20, 100. Assupplemental tag 10 can fit very easily on permanent tag 20, 100, a usercan simply place the supplemental tag 10 onto permanent tag 20, 100.Further, for example, if animal 40 is given antibiotics after permanenttag 20, 100 has been placed on animal, the user can simply place thecorrect supplemental tag 10 on permanent tag 20, 100 to indicate that anantibiotic was indeed given. Alternatively, supplemental tag 10 can beused to correct a defect of permanent tag 20, 100.

[0053] Supplemental tag 10 can identify specific information regardingthe animal 40 in a myriad of manners. For example, supplemental tag 10can be a specific color or shape, wherein a specific color or shape cansignify or indicate information about animal 40. Alternatively, as shownin FIG. 2, supplemental tag 10 can have language 12A affixed thereonconveying the information desired to be conveyed. Alternatively, asshown in FIG. 3, supplemental tag 10 can have a bar code or a computer“smart” chip 12B. It is understood that supplemental tag can conveyinformation in other ways than described herein.

[0054] Further, it is understood that more than one supplemental tag 10can be placed on permanent tag 20, 100. For example, the firstsupplemental tag can be placed on permanent tag 20, 100 after an eventsuch a first vaccination and a second supplemental tag can be placed onpermanent tag 20, 100 after a second vaccination. Supplemental tags 10can be of different colors or contain different indicia. Thus, thepresent invention can allows for the continual update of information onpermanent tag 20, 100.

[0055] The relatively simple structure of supplemental tag 10 can allowit to be manufactured relatively easily with inexpensive materials.Preferably, supplemental tag 10 can be molded from a single piece ofresilient material such as plastic, other polymers, metals, or otherresilient material that do not break easily. Such plastics, metals, andother materials are evident to and known by those of ordinary skill inthe art.

[0056] The foregoing detailed description of the preferred embodimentsand the appended figures have been presented only for illustrative anddescriptive purposes and are not intended to be exhaustive or to limitthe scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiments were selected anddescribed to best explain the principles of the invention and itspractical applications. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognizethat many variations can be made to the invention disclosed in thisspecification without departing from the scope and spirit of theinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A combined animal information tag for providingprimary and supplemental information about an animal, comprising: a) aprimary tag permanently attached to the animal and displaying primaryinformation about the animal; and b) a supplemental tag attached to theprimary information tag for displaying supplemental information aboutthe animal, wherein the supplemental tag comprises two arms each havinga first end and a second end, the first ends terminating at leastproximal to each other and the second ends being connected to eachother; a cavity between the two arms sized to conform to a selectedportion of the primary tag; and an egress means between the first endsthrough which the primary tag can pass into the cavity.
 2. The combinedanimal information tag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the supplementaltag is a generally looped-shaped member having two generally parallelelongated sections and two generally short sections.
 3. The combinedanimal information tag as claimed in claim 2, wherein the egress meansis located on one of the elongated sections.
 4. The combined animalinformation tag as claimed in claim 2, wherein the egress means islocated on one of the short sections.
 5. The combined animal informationtag as claimed in claim 2, wherein the elongated sections transitioninto the short sections and the egress means is located at a transition.6. The combined animal information tag as claimed in claim 2, whereinthe elongated sections transition into the short sections and the egressmeans is located proximal to a transition.
 7. The combined animalinformation tag as claimed in claim 2, wherein the short sections arecurved sections and the looped-shaped member is generally oval-shaped.8. The combined animal information tag as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe first ends abut one another.
 9. The combined animal information tagas claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first ends of thearms has a tooth structure.
 10. The combined animal information tag asclaimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the arms is sufficientlyflexible to allow one arm to flex away from the other arm so as to allowthe supplemental tag to slide over the primary tag.
 11. The combinedanimal information tag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the supplementalinformation regarding the animal is indicated by placing at least onecolor indicator on the supplemental tag.
 12. The combined animalinformation tag as claimed in claim 11, wherein the entire supplementaltag is a single color to indicate the supplemental information regardingthe animal.
 13. The combined animal information tag as claimed in claim1, wherein the supplemental information regarding the animal iscontained in a computer chip attached to or a part of the supplementaltag.
 14. The combined animal information tag as claimed in claim 2,wherein at least one elongated section is pivotally attached to a shortsection and the at least one elongated section can move between a closedposition securing the supplemental tag onto the primary tag and anopened position allowing the supplemental tag to be placed on or removedfrom the primary tag.
 15. The combined animal information tag as claimedin claim 2, wherein at least one short section is pivotally attached toan elongated section and the at least one short section can move betweena closed position securing the supplemental tag onto the primary tag andan opened position allowing the supplemental tag to be placed on orremoved from the primary tag.
 16. The combined animal information tag asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the first end of one arm comprises a firstsecuring means and the first end of the other arm comprises a secondsecuring means, whereby the first securing means and the second securingmeans cooperate with each other to secure the supplemental tag onto theprimary tag.
 17. The combined animal information tag as claimed in claim16, wherein the two arms define a unitary planar structure capable ofbeing folded, whereby when the unitary planar structure is folded, thecavity is formed between the two arms and the first securing means andthe second securing means come into proximity with each other.
 18. Thecombined animal information tag as claimed in claim 17, wherein thefirst securing means is a prong and the second securing means is a hole,whereby the prong is inserted into the hole to secure the supplementaltag about the primary tag.
 19. The combined animal information tag asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the primary tag is an ear tag comprising apermanent tag body having a first planar dimension and a permanent tagneck having a second planar dimension smaller than the first planardimension, and the supplemental tag is attached to the primary tagaround the permanent tag body or permanent tag neck.
 20. The combinedanimal information tag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the primary tag isan ankle tag comprising a permanent tag body having a first planardimension, and the supplemental tag is attached to the primary tagaround the permanent tag body.
 21. A method for displaying primary andsupplemental information about an animal, comprising the steps of: a)permanently attaching a primary tag to the animal and displaying primaryinformation about the animal on the primary tag; and b) removablyattaching a supplemental tag to the primary information tag fordisplaying supplemental information about the animal, wherein thesupplemental tag comprises two arms each having a first end and a secondend, the first ends terminating at least proximal to each other and thesecond ends being connected to each other; a cavity between the two armssized to conform to a selected portion of the primary tag; and an egressmeans between the first ends through which the primary tag can pass intothe cavity.
 22. A method for displaying supplemental information aboutan animal by removably attaching a supplemental tag to a primaryinformation tag permanently attached to the animal, wherein the primarytag displays primary information about the animal and the supplementaltag displays supplemental information about the animal, wherein thesupplemental tag comprises two arms each having a first end and a secondend, the first ends terminating at least proximal to each other and thesecond ends being connected to each other; a cavity between the two armssized to conform to a selected portion of the primary tag; and an egressmeans between the first ends through which the primary tag can pass intothe cavity.